Union Twp. plans land use future in Horizon 2030

Union Township officials are updating the land use plan now called Horizon 2030.

The Union Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan 20/20, adopted in 2001, built on the land development plan that was adopted in 1988 and revised in 1994.

All the factors that contribute to a land use plan are fluid and constantly changing, said Cory Wright, township assistant administrator and planning and zoning director.

"In 2001, the revised document was much more comprehensive in nature, addressing current and future population growth trends, residential development patterns, densities, the availability of infrastructure, including public parks, sewers, roads and sidewalks, and defining specific action plans for the major commercial corridors within the township," Wight said.

But the Planning and Zoning Department is always compiling information regarding land use statistics, growth patterns and other community issues. At their regular board meeting Feb. 14, the township trustees authorized an update to the 2001 comprehensive land use plan.

The new plan will update the underlying foundations of the plan and will look at population growth and shifts in demographics, as well as the levels of job growth and creation experienced and projected in the township during the current planning period, Wright said.

"The community continues to grow residentially and much of the remaining parcels are in-fill," said Administrator Ken Geis. "The commercial activity is strong and has changed since the last update. Today, we need to be even more sensitive to the traffic patterns and movement of people to and through our community for safety and convenience."

"The comprehensive plan is a general framework to record existing activity and to recommend future changes to the township," Geis said.

"By understanding and developing a detailed picture of where we have been, as a community, and where we are currently, we can effectively chart our course to the horizon and ensure that Union Township remains the best place in the region to live, raise a family or conduct business activities," Wright said. "Also, by understanding our demographic composition and trends, we can develop policies that enhance the community, rather than detract from it."

Wright said a necessary consideration is the land use activity of surrounding political subdivisions.

"We will also be examining the relationship between land uses, and the role that proper and appropriate site design, location and infrastructure availability play with respect to impacting the built environment," he said.

The plan will explore the relationship between land use and the existing and proposed transportation network, the availability of pedestrian infrastructure, and the existing multi-modal transportation options available in the township, Wright said.

"We anticipate continuation of a corridor-based approach with regard to land use recommendations, as this is the most effective manner in which to establish policies that are relevant to specific and unique areas of the township," he said.

"Union Township has the largest commercial and residential population in Clermont County and has historically been the leader in new and innovative planning for the county. We are pleased to see that Clermont County has started the process to create their first comprehensive plan because our customers often ask about the plans for the surrounding area," Geis said.